EXERCISE MITRA SHAKTI (Syllabus: GS Paper 2 – IR)
Context: The India-Sri Lanka Joint Military Exercise Mitra Shakti began at the Army Training School, Maduru Oya, Sri Lanka.
Exercise Mitra Shakti
- About: It is a bilateral military exercise between India and Sri Lanka.
- Edition: 10th edition. The 'Mitra Shakti' military exercise is conducted alternately between India and Sri Lanka.
- India’s Participant: K-9 Squad
- Indian contingent: It comprising 106 personnel is being represented by a Battalion of Rajputana Rifles along with personnel from other arms and services.
- Sri Lankan contingent: Represented by personnel from the Gajaba Regiment of the Sri Lankan Army.
- Objective: The exercise aims to enhance the joint military capability of both sides to undertake counter-insurgency operations in a sub-conventional scenario under Chapter VII of the United Nations Mandate.
oThe exercise will focus on operations in the semi-urban environment.
- Other Points of Exercise:
oTactical Drills: The exercise will include rehearsals of anti-terrorism responses, joint command post establishment, intelligence and surveillance setup, and special heliborne operations.
oJoint Operations: It aims to share best practices in tactics, techniques, and procedures, fostering inter-operability between the two armies.
oDefence Cooperation: The exercise will strengthen defence ties and enhance camaraderie, further improving bilateral relations between the participating nations.
oCounter-Drone Measures: Deployment of drones and counter-drone systems will be part of the exercise, reflecting a focus on modern warfare tactics.
